About

Our Purpose is to Benefit You

We will be discovering, rediscovering and reinterpreting architecturally significant homes for you as a buyer and as a seller.

If you are passionate about architecture, design and real value, then we share an interest.

-Douglas Newby

Our Shared Values, Vision and Approach

You will, in this section describing our purpose, discover our shared values, vision and our approach to benefit you. You will see our emphasis on the precision and grace of our transactions. You’ll learn about the origin, background and evolution of this firm, created to benefit you. You’ll find books, articles and op-ed columns written by Douglas Newby, as well as articles in which Douglas Newby was quoted or featured. Other resources that you may find useful are also found in this Web site SignificantHomes.com.

We are so grateful to you for guiding us throughout the exciting process of buying a beautiful Highland Park estate home first and then trying to sell our old Highland Park one in record time. I know you have an eye for distinctive and unique homes given your endless appetite for architecture and cultural comprehension. But your deep understanding of human behavior and the art of negotiation is even more spectacular. You are a rare gem and I am so blessed to count you as a good friend.

-Choy Leng Scott

Our Real Estate Firm Was Created for You

Douglas Newby & Associates, specializing in architecturally significant homes, was developed with you in mind. You’re curious, have a passion for design and an affinity for the aesthetic fabric of a city. You desire to work with a realtor who is a licensed real estate broker, who understands your interest and who will personally represent your interest.

Our clients are making the greatest impact on the architectural landscape.

We want to help you discover, rediscover and reinterpret architecturally significant homes. We love hearing your response to interesting homes, and love pointing out their subtle features. This dialogue gives clients an advantage in selecting the finest home or obtaining the best prices. Armed with the knowledge of the real value of the property and home, you’ll make a better purchase.

A note of thanks for a most civilized experience ... our recent home sale was conducted with such efficiency, discretion, and geniality that we know that our buyers were as pleased with the ease of the sale/purchase process as we. Your marketing of our home with such sensitivity to the particular merits of our property and of our neighborhood led to a surplus of potential buyers at the end --- a very rewarding experience! In our 30 years of buying and selling homes in three states, never have we enjoyed such confidence in our realtor nor worried so little about the eventual successful outcome.

It is an additional satisfaction to know how well you have matched our beloved home with its new owners.

- James and Patricia Shinn

We Want You to Have the Best Home

You understand that a home with a great design and that is on the best site is going to have the most real value. Articulating the architecture of a home and the potential of the site facilitates your understanding of a home you will enjoy for many years.

When one of my clients acquires an architecturally significant home, I know the home is in good hands and will contribute in a meaningful way to the architectural landscape.

-Douglas Newby

Significant Homes Will Come Into Focus

As we work together, exploring the market, the neighborhoods and specific sites in relationship to your desires and goals, the right architecturally significant home will soon emerge as your best choice.

My business goal is to benefit my clients; my civic goal is to promote good architecture and design. It is exciting and I’m even more passionate when those two are intertwined.

-Douglas Newby

Doug,

Thanks so much for the evening at Mrs. McDermott’s. It’s a rare treat just to be in her house, much less share it with great food, company, conversation and the lady herself. Everyone agreed that the discussion you moderated really gave the evening its unique character, turning the conversation away from the usual social small-talk to much more interesting issues you usually don’t get into with people you’ve just met. It was the perfect topic to open things up, because while even sophisticated civilians are often reluctant to talk about art and architecture if they’re put on the spot, everyone has strong feelings about their community and its culture – I know everyone there welcomed the opportunity to hold forth and listen to other views. Every event you’ve done has been memorable, but I think this format bears repetition in some form – I loved Mrs. McDermott’s characterization of it as a “mixer”, but uniquely you had people exchanging ideas first and foremost, rather than business cards or phone numbers. Needless to say, Ellen and I had a terrific time and are grateful you included us.

All best,
Michael Ennis

"We understand a home can make a positive impact on your family, friends and community."